The Maryland Democratic Party is poised for a leadership change as hundreds gather in Prince George’s County, but a potential delay looms over the frontrunner, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. Despite being Governor Wes Moore’s favored candidate to succeed outgoing chair Ken Ulman, Pittman faces a significant hurdle due to unresolved campaign finance issues that prevent him from immediately assuming his new role if elected.
The party’s bylaws mandate that a new chair must be elected within 60 days following a vacancy, which was triggered by Ulman’s resignation last week. However, Pittman’s inability to close his campaign account, a requirement under state law for taking office, complicates the transition. He confirmed that he will delay taking official charge of the Democratic Party’s leadership until his campaign account is fully resolved.
Pittman’s campaign account, which funded his previous elections, is under scrutiny due to a discrepancy in financial filings. A routine audit revealed a $1,500 difference between his reported cash balance and the actual bank balance, stalling the closure of his account. As a result, he is undergoing a comprehensive review by state election officials.
The Election Day is set for June 21, but with the financial review unlikely to conclude by then, the party may need to temporarily maintain its current acting chair, Dr. Charlene Dukes, until the account issue is resolved. Dukes, who has been the acting chair since June 13, is expected to continue in this role until Pittman’s campaign account is closed in accordance with state regulations.
Pittman remains optimistic, stating that he has hired a firm to conduct a forensic audit to address the discrepancies. Despite the ongoing financial review, he assures that any issues with his campaign account have been diligently investigated, and he is committed to resolving them swiftly.
State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis emphasized that the intent of the law is to prevent the circumvention of contribution limits, ensuring that candidates cannot manipulate funds across multiple accounts. Pittman’s case underscores the importance of accurate financial reporting and compliance with state election laws.
In the interim, Pittman has assured supporters that he will focus on transition work and meeting with staff, while refraining from any official actions as chair until legally authorized. He reassured party officials of his fiscal responsibility, citing his successful tenure as county executive and the AAA bond rating achieved under his leadership.
As the party prepares for its scheduled meeting, the possibility of a delayed leadership transition remains a concern, but Pittman is determined to navigate the process efficiently. The outcome of the review and his ability to resolve the discrepancies will ultimately dictate the timing of his official assumption of the party chair role.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://marylandmatters.org/2025/06/20/pittmans-rise-to-democratic-party-chair-could-be-delayed-by-campaign-finances/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.